Automatic band-cutter and feeder for threshing-machines.



No 689,965. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l. C. H. HILL & R. R. HOWELL.

AUTOMATIC BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FOB THRESHING MACHINES.

(Applicati n filed May 13, 1899.)

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(No Mqdei.)

Ill/l u "ms NORRIS PETERS on, moYaLlTnu. vmsnmmow. o. r;

No. 689,965. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l. C. H. HILL &. R. R. HOWELL.

AUTOMATIC BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FOR THRESNING MACHINES.

{Application filed May 18, 189 9.)

6 Sheets8heet 2.

(No Model.)

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Patented Dec. 3|, 190i. 0. H. HILL & R. R. HOWELL. AUTUMATIC BAND BUTTERAND FEEDER FOB THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application filed May 13, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3..

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G/zauncy f/f/z'll Patenfed Dec. 3|, I90].

C. H. HILL & R. R. HOWELL.

AUTU MATIC BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application filed May 13, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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' Czfaunc mm No. 689,965. Patented Dec. 3|, 29m. 0. H. HILL & R. R.HOWELL.

AUTOMATIC BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FDR THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application filed May 18, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Invezzzfom I G/zaufzOylLl/zll. Robert R.H0well.

O Jtzforneys Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

C. H. HILL & R. R. HOWELL.

AUTOMATIC BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application filed May 13, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(No Modem I n z/en; tors Robert 7?. Howell Chaunc z H. Hill/ 5 ml mwz mms Urrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OIIAUNCY H. HILL AND ROBERT R. HOWELL, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC BAND-CUTTER AND FEEDER FOR THRESHiNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 689,965, datedDecember 31, 1901.

Application filed May 13, 1899. Serial No. 716,677. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHAUNCY I-I. HILL and ROBERT R. HOWELL, ofMinneapolis, county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have inventedcertain Improvements in Automatic Band- Cutters and Feeders forThreshing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices designed for theautomatic cutting of the bands of bundles of grain and feeding the grainto threshing-machines; and the objects we have in view are to provide animproved construction of knife-cylinder and knives, an improvedknifeguard, improved means for supporting and operating thebundle-carrier, improved fenders in connection with a rotating beater,improved vibrating pans carrying racks by which the grain is movedforward from the carrier to the cylinder of the threshing-machine,improved means for adjusting the racks carried by said pans, and animproved governing device and means for operating the same.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion ofathreshing-machine having our invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a planview of one of the vibrating pans. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showingsubstantially the same partof the machine that is shown in Fig. 1, butlooking toward the opposite side of the machine. Figs. 4 and 5 arerespectively a side elevation and a detailed section, on line 4t 4 ofFig. 4, of the belt-pulley and regulator arranged in connectiontherewith. Fig. 6 is a detail of part of the governor. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation of a portion of the machine looking in the opposite directionfrom that in which the view shown in Fig. 3 is taken. Figs. 8 and 9 aredetails of the means for supporting the crank-shaft and vibrating pans.Fig. 10 is a plan view of a portion of the carrier and parts connectedtherewith. Fig. 11 isa plan view showing the knife-cylinderand knives,the knife-guard, the heater, and the fenders arranged in connection withthe beater. Figs. 12, 13, and 14. are details illustrating the clutchand its operation. Figs.

15 and 16 are details showing one of the knives and the bracket forsecuring said knife to the knife-cylinder. Fig. 17 is a detail showingthe knife-guard. Figs. 18, 19, 20, and 21 are details showing atwo-speed device that may be used in connection with the beater-shaft.Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail of the spring-rod that is operated by thespeed-governor. Fig. 23 is a partial longitudinal section, Fig. 24 apartial transverse section, and Fig. 25 a detail elevation, showing amodified arrangement of the pans and means for operating them. Fig. 26is a detail section on the line a: a: of Fig. 10. Fig. 27 is a detailsection on line y y of Fig. 10. Fig. 28 is a detail section on line a aof Fig. 10.

In the drawings, 2 represents the frame of a threshing-machine, whichmay be of any ordinaryor preferred construction and which is providedwith the usual threshing-cylinder 3 and concave at. The framework at theforward or feed end of the machine may be constructed of wood, asillustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, or it may be a suitable metallicconstruction, as illustrated in Fig. 7 0f the drawings.

Our band-cutter and feeder is adapted for use in connection both withthe machines that use the wooden frame for supporting thethreshing-cylinder and the devices that cooperate therewith or withthose that use a metallic frame for this purpose.

The main frame 5 of our band-cutter and feeder is adapted to be securedto that portion of the frame of the threshing-machine that ordinarilysupports the threshing-cylinder, its concave, and feed-board. In Fig. 3of the drawings we have shown the frame 5 provided with a suitablemetallic auxiliary frame 6, that is secured to said frame 5 by suitablebolts 7 and to the frame of the threshing-machine by suitable bolts 8.In Fig. 7 we have shown suitable braces 9 and 10, that are bolted to theframe of the threshing-machine and also to the frame 5, and in bothinstances we have shown a pivoted brace 11 connected to the under sideof the frame 5 or to any suitable attachment thereof and with its lowerend supported upon a step 12 upon the frame of the threshing-machine.

The means we have shown we consider dcsirable and satisfactory for thepurpose of securing the band-cutter and feeder to a threshing-machine;but we do not limit ourselves to any particular devices for thispurpose, as it will be obvious that any other suitable means may beemployed for connecting the band-cutter and feeder to thethreshing-machine frame and supporting it thereon.

The carrier-frame 13 (see Figs. 7 and 10) is made separate andindependent'of the main frame 5, and it is provided with two hinges orjoints, permitting it to be folded up into the position shown in Fig. 7,and when it is in this position its lower end is supported upon thebrace 11 by means of a suitable hook 14. The carrier-frame is alsoprovided with a suitable leg 15 at each side at its outer end, which maybe folded up, as shown in Fig. 7, or may be turned down into a verticalposition to support the outer end of the carrierframe in a manner wellunderstood in this class of devices. The outer section of thecarrier-frame is connected to the next section, at each side thereof, bymeans of a suitable hinge 16, (see Figs. 7 and 10,) and we also preferto provide upon the top of the main frame 5 a windlass 17, having asuitable operating-handle 18 and ratchet 19, controlled by a suitablepawl 20, and suitable ropes 21, arranged upon this Windlass, areconnected to studs 22, located at the axes of the hinges 16. By thismeans the ends of the sections of the carrier-frame may be raised intothe position shown by full lines in Fig. 7 when the machine is to bemoved, or said frame may be let down into position shown by dotted linesin the same figure when it is to be used for threshing. The second orintermediate section of the carrier-frame is connected to the innersectionby a hingejoint, permitting said second section to be turned upinto position shown in Fig. 7 or let down; but the third or innersection is secured directly under the main frame 5, as shown in Figs. 1,3, and 7. This section of the carrier-frame is provided with the studs23 and 24. The middle section of the carrier-frame has a stud 23, andthis stud has a socket or recess in its inner end, and the stud 23'projects into this socket. The two studs form the hinge between the twosections of the carrier-frame. The frame 5 is provided with suitablebrackets 26 and 27. (See Figs. 3 and 7.) These brackets are providedwith inverted yokes or U- shaped portions, that receive the studs 23 and24 of the carrier-frame and form bearings therefor. The studs 24 arehollow, and through one of them passes a shaft, as hereinafterdescribed. The studs 24 are secured in position in the brackets 26 bymeans of blocks 28 and suitable bolts 29, (see Fig. 3,) while the studs23 are secured in position by means of adjustable pins 30. By this meansthe studs 23 and the carrier-frame may be adjusted upon the brackets 27and held either in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 3 or in theposition shown by dotted lines in the same figure, and by the same meansthe carrier may be raised or lowered, whereby the knives hereinafterdescribed may be made to out a greater or less distance into the bundlesas they are passed under the knife-cylinder. The carrier-frame isprovided with suitable transverse bars 31, (see Fig. 1,) and over theseis arranged an apron 32, of sheet-steel or other suitable material. Wealso provide the series of carrier-bars 33, having spikes 34 extendingdiagonally through them and projecting backward therefrom, and thesebars are secured to and moved by the carrierchains These chains passaround the sprocket-wheels 36 upon the shaft 37, that is arranged at theinner end of the carrierframe and mounted therein, and one end of theshaft 37 may project into or through one of the studs 24. (See Fig. 26.)The backwardly-projecting spikes 34 hold the bundles as they are passingunder the knives and pre vent them from being thrown forward by theknives as the bundles pass under the knifecylinder. The driving-shaft 37for the carrier is operated from the beatershaft by means hereinafterdescribed. Suitable idlerpulleys 38 (see Figs. 1, 9, and 28) arearranged at opposite sides of the carrier-frame upon a shaft 68, andover these pulleys the chains 35 pass, so that the carrier-bars andspikes are held up-out of contact with the reciprocating panshereinafter described.

The knife-cylinder is arranged over the inner end or portion of thecarrier, as shown in. Fig. 1. inder 39, mounted upon a driving-shaft 40,and this shaft is provided with a driving-pulley 41, mounted'looselythereon, to which 'power is applied by means of a belt 42, running froma pulley on the shaft of the thresh ing-cylinder. (See Fig. 3.) Theknife-cylinder 39 has secured toits outer surface a number of brackets43, (see Fig. 16,) these brackets being preferably secured by beingbolted or riveted upon the outer surface of the cylinder. Each of thebrackets is provided with a vertical flange 44 and with alaterally-projecting lug or shield 45 and also, preferably, with thelaterally-projecting studs 46. The knife-blades 47 are preferably of thecurved form, (shown in Figs. 1 and 15,) and they are secured to the sideof the brackets 43. (See Figs. 15 and 16.) The heel of the knifepreferably bears against the lug 45, and the studs 46 project into holesin the knife. A capscrew 48 is provided for clamping the knife inposition upon the bracket. We also prefer to provide upon theknife-cylinder a se- This is preferably a sheet-steel cylries of shieldsconsisting of inclined strips 49, I

knife-cylinder rotates rapidly in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1,and as the bundles are brought under the cylinder by the carrier theknives are forced into the bundle, and they cut the bands and at thesame time spread open the bundles to a considerable extent.

Arranged just inside of the knife-cylinder is a pivoted knife-guard 50.(See Figs. 1, 11, and 17.) This guard consists of a triangular frameprovided with journals 51, by means of which it is mounted in the frameof the machine, and it has at its upper side a transverse bar 52, andfrom this bar there extend a series of A-shaped parts 53, arranged withspaces between them, which spaces extend clear through the guard, andthrough these spaces the knives pass as the knife-cylinder is rotated.(See Fig. 1.) The knife-guard being pivoted at the apex of the triangle,which is the point nearest the knife-cylinder, the weight of the framerests upon the bundles of grain as they pass. under it, and the guardnot only serves to clear the grain from the knives, but also assists inspreading and holding down the grain, so as to have it properly guidedto the threshing-cylinder and also prevent the knives from throwing thebundles. At the same time the knife-guard will be raised when anexcessive amount of grain passes under it, and it may be fastened at anydesired point by any suitable means, as by a strap 54, (see Fig. 1,)adapted to be suitably held by any desired means connected to the frameof the machine. After the grain passes under the knife guard and atabout the time it leaves the carrier it passes under a beater 55, of anyusual or preferred construction. This beater assists in distributing andmoving the grain onward toward the threshing cylinder. Mounted looselyupon the shaftboxes of the beater are the brackets 56, (see Figs. 1 and11,) and secured to the upper ends of these brackets is the transversebar or beam 57. Aseries of curved rods forming fenders 58 are secured tothe bar 57 and pass down and under the beater 55. (See Fig. 1.) Thesefenders extend nearly to the threshing-cylinder and serve to hold thegrain down, to direct it into the throat of the cylinder, and prevent itfrom being thrown upward by therotating beater 55. We also provide meansfor adjusting the fenders 58 and also permitting them to yield whennecessary to permit the passage of grain under them. For this purpose weprefer to provide a strap 59, connected to the cross-bar 57, and thisstrap is pivoted to a rod 60, which passes through the end of anadjustable bar 6l,a spring 62 being arranged on the rod 60 and inengagement with the end of the adjusting-bar 61. (See Fig.1.) Theadjusting-bar 61 extends outside the frame of the machine, and it isadapted to be moved to any desired position, and being provided with anumber of holes 64, into any one of which a pin 63 may be inserted, the

bar may be held in any position in which'it is placed. By this means thelower ends of the fenders 58 may be raised or lowered, and

at the same time the fenders are capable of yielding when this is madenecessary by the pressure of the grain upon them. As before stated,there are two reciprocating pans 65, that are arranged between thecarrier and the feed-board of the threshing-machine. These pans areshown clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 23, and 24 of the drawings. A shaft 66,provided with oppositely-arranged cranks, (see Fig. 28,) supports theouter ends of the pans, and by means of this shaft the pans areoppositely reciprocated and balance each other. The pans are providedwith bearings 67, by means of which they are connected to the cranks.(See Figs. 2 and 23.) A shaft 68 is mounted in the carrier-frame in aposition nearly over the normal position of the crankshaft 66. Theidler-pulleys 38, before referred to, are arranged to turn freely uponstuds on the casting 69 about this shaft, one of these pulleys beingshown in detail in Fig. 9 of the drawings, in which figure the positionof the shaft is represented in dotted lines. (See also Fig. 28.) Thecasting 69 (see Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 28) is secured at each side upon theend of the carrier-frame, and this casting supports or has secured to itthe lugs 24, hereinbefore referred to, and this casting forms a bearingat each side of the carrier for the shaft 37, which constitutes thedriving-shaft for the carrier. The casting 69 extends along each side ofthe carrier-frame, as shown in Fig. 10, and covers the chain of thecarrier and keeps it on its sprocketwheels and also forms the bearingsfor the shaft 68. (See Fig. 28.) This casting is provided with thedepending lugs 70. (See Figs. 3 and 8.) Rigidly attached upon each endof the shaft 68 is a swinging bracket 71, and in the lower end of thesebrackets the crank-shaft 66 is mounted. (See Fig. 28.) Hook-bolts 72 areprovided in connection with each of these brackets, (see Figs. 3 and 8,)and by this means said brackets may be secured rigidly to the dependinglugs 70 of the casting 69. (See Fig. 8.) The crank-shaft 66 is providedat one end with a suitable gear 73, (see Figs. 3, 7, 10, and 28,) andthere is mounted upon the end of the shaft 68 a pulley 74, having apinion secured thereto or made integral therewith. The pinion 75 mesheswith the gear 73, and the pulley 74 and the pinion 75 turn freely uponthe shaft 68. As the brackets 71 swing from the shaft 68, the gear 73will always remain in engagement with the pinion 75. The pulley 74 isdriven by means of a belt 76, which is driven from a pulley 77 on theshaft of the knife-cylinder 39. This belt also passes around a pulley 78on the shaft of the beater 55 and around a tightener-pulley 79, mountedupon a bellcrank lever 80. This lever is provided with a suitable pawl81, that engages a ratchet 82, by means of which the lever may be heldin any desired position. It will be seen, therefore, that the pans areby this means given a vibratory motion toward and from thethreshingcylinder, and that the pans alternate in their movements,thereby balancing each other. Each of the pans is preferably provided ator near its rear end with two or more rack-bars 83, (see Figs. 1, 2, 23,and 24,) and each pan is also provided near its forward portion with aseries of rack-bars 84, or fish-backs, as they are generally called. Therack-bars 84 are preferably secured upon a plate 85, and this plate ispivotally connected to the walls of the pan at its rear end. We preferto arrange the rack-bars with their forward ends substantially flushwith the corresponding ends of the reciprocating pans beneath, so thatthe bundles of grain as they pass over the pans to thethreshing-cylinder will be substantially upright and the cylinder-teethwill first engage the sides of the bundles, thus preventing all dangerof clogging the cylinder, which sometimes happens when the bundles aredischarged horizontally from the feed-pans and 5 the cylinder-teethengage the ends of the same. The plate is preferably located at somedistance above the bottom of the pan, so that grain and chaff-may passunder it. WVe prefer to provide an adjusting-screw 86 at each side ofthe pan for the purpose of adjusting the plate and the racks carriedthereby for in position by clips 87,Which extend under the edge of theconcave, as shown in Fig. 1. As the grain passes over the carrier itfalls upon the vibrating pans 65 and is by them moved onward, and at thesame time the bundles are thoroughly loosened and shaken up, so that thegrain enters the threshing-machine in a thoroughlyloosecondition.Asbefore stated, the outer ends of the pans are supported upon acrank-shaft 66, and this shaft is mounted in the brackets 71, that arekeyed upon the shaft 68. When it is desired to obtain access to thecylinder or to the concave, the hookbolts 72 are unhooked and thebrackets 71 are swung backward into the position shown at the right indotted lines in Fig. 1, and While in this position the brackets areengaged by the hooks 59, (see Fig. 1,) and the pans will now be free ofthe feed-board and may be swung around under the carrier into theposition shown by the dotted lines at the right in Fig. 1 and at theleft in Fig. 3. When the pans are in this position, access may be had tothe concave or to the threshing-cylinder.

We provide also in connection with the machine a governor that controlsautomatically the carrier, and thereby controls the feed of grain to theknives and threshing-cylinder.

The main portion of this governor is of the ordinary centrifugal type,and the governorshaft is driven by a belt 90, extending from a pulleylocated on the shaft 40. The beatercylinder, as before explained, isdriven by a belt from the shaft of the knife-cylinder, and from thebeater-cylinder the carrier is in turn driven. The vertical shaft of thegovernor is provided with the usual sliding stem, which is raised orlowered as the speed of the governor is increased or diminished. Mountedupon a base-plate 91 is a shaft 92, provided at one'end'with an arm 93,adapted to be raised by the sliding stem of the governor, and at theother end with a depending rod 91:, having a hook or lug 95 at its lowerend. A

spiral spring 96 surrounds the shaft 92 and has one end secured thereto,while its opposite end is secured to an adjustable collar 97. (See Fig.22.) This collar is adapted to be operated by means of a thumb-rod 98,upon the periphery of which a worm is provided which engages a worm'upon' the edge of the collar 97. By this means the tension of thespring 96 may be increased or diminished, thereby increasing ordecreasing the tension necessary to bring the hook 95 on the rod 94 intoengagement with a lug on the wheel 97 on the beater-shaft. This wheel 97is provided with a notch adapted to be engaged by a pawl 99, mountedupon the frame of the machine. The wheel 97 (see detail Figs. 12 and 13)is loose upon the beater-shaft, and said wheel has secured to or formedintegrally with it the sprocket-Wheel 100, from which extends a chain101, that engages a sprocket-pinion 102, which is mounted upon a shortshaft 103, said shaft carrying a pinion 104, that meshes with thevpinion on the shaft 37 of the carrier.

The shaft of the beater 55 carries a crosshead 106, (see Figs. 13-and14,) having studs 107, upon which are mounted the rolls 108. Upon thedisk 97 there is pivoted a clutchplate 109. (See Figs. .12 and 13.) Aspring engages this-plate and tends. to hold it normally in the positionshown by full lines in Fig. 12. The plate 109 is also provided with thelugs 111 and 112, the lug 111 projecting laterally from the plate andthe lug 112 projecting beyond the circumference of the disk 97. The disk97 is also preferably provided with a counterweight 113. When theclutch-plate 109 is in the position show-n by full lines in Fig. 12, thelug 111 thereon will be engaged by one of the wheels 108 upon thecross-heads 106, so that the disk 97 will rotate with the shaft of thebeater 55 and, through the means hereinbefore described,

the carrier will be driven and the bundles of grain will be brought intothe machine and under the knife-cylinder. When so much grain has enteredthe machine as to reduce the speed of the knife-cylinder, the speed ofIIC the governor will also be reduced and the rod 94 will be swung intothe position shown by on the end of this rod into the path of the lug112 upon the clutch-plate 109. This will turn the clutch-plate from theposition shown in Fig. 12 to the position shown in Fig 13, and thecross-head 106 will now be out of engagement with the disk 97 and saiddisk will remain stationary, the dog 99 dropping into engagement withthe notch in the edge of the disk, and the carrier will also remainstationary just as long as the disk 97 is stationary. lVhen the lug onthe end of the rod 94 is brought into engagement with the lug on theclutch-plate, the momentum of the disk 97 and parts secured thereby willbe sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring to such an extent asto permit the dog 99 to drop into the notch upon the edge of the disk97, which prevents any backing up of the disk and parts connectedtherewith.

\Ve also provide a device that we call a strain-regulator, that islocated upon the shaft of the knife-cylinder and between said shaft andthe governor,which causes the speed of the governor to decrease upon theclogging of the knives. This device is shown in Figs. 3, 1, and 5 of thedrawings. As before stated, the knife-cylinder, which is provided withthe shaft 40 and with a loose driving-pulley 11, is driven from thethreshing-cylinder by means of the belt 42. Upon this shaft 40 and atone side of the pulley 41 is a disk 11 1, having a hub which is keyedfast to the shaft 10. Loosely mounted upon this hub is a small pulley115, formed integrally with which is the friction-ring 116. A strap 117is pivoted on the disk 114 and is provided with a block or series ofblocks 118, that engage the friction-ring116. A spring 119 has one endbearing against the free end of the strap 117, the other end beingsupported by a lug 120 on the disk 111. An adjusting-screw 121 isprovided in the lug 120 for increasing the tension of the spring 119. Aslot 122 (see Fig. 3 is provided in the disk 114, and a stud 123,preferably formed upon or secured to one of the spokes of the pulley 41,extends through the slot 122, and the free end of the strap 117 is heldagainst this stud by the spring 119. A lug 123 is arranged upon the sideof the disk 114 next to the pulley, and a set-screw 121 in'this stud isarranged to engage the stud 123. By this means the blocks 118 may beadjusted as said blocks wear. Clogging of the knives causes acompression of the spring 119 and releases the friction-blocks from thering 116. This causes the speed of the governor to decrease, and therebycauses stoppage of the carrier, as already explained. As soon as theknives begin to run easier again the friction-blocks are thrown backinto engagement with the ring 116. The governor is again started, or

7 its speed is increased to normal, and the carsome instances, however,we may use means whereby without changing the speed of the beater achange may be obtained in the speed of the carrier. For this purpose Weprovide two sprockets 100 upon the shaft of the beater 55 and two chains101, extending therefrom to two sprockets 102 upon the shaft 103. Thesesprockets are alike except that one is somewhat larger than the other.(See Figs. 18, 19, 20, and 21.) Each sprocket 102 is provided withrecesses 12%, and a sleeve 125 is keyed to the shaft 103 and is providedwith lugs 126, which may be brought into engagement with the recesses ineither of the sprockets 102. An operating-lever 127 may be arranged toengage the sleeve 125, thereby to move said sleeve so as to bring itinto engagement with either of said sprocket-wheels, or it may be movedinto position where it will. not engage either wheel, in which case thecarrier will remain stationary. The lever 127 may be provided with ahandle of suitable construction, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, and it maybe arranged to move over a notched sector, and means may be provided forlocking the lever in the position in which it is desired to have itremain.

An inclined lug 11 1' may be provided on the disk 114 (see Figs. 4 and5) to keep the straw away from the spring 112).

In I 'igs. 23 and 24 we showa modified construction of the vibratingpans. In this instance the raeks 81 are given a substantially verticalvibratory movement while partaking of the longitudinal vibratorymovement of the pan. For this purpose we connect to the lower end of thearm 71 a bail 130, that extends beneath the pan and transverselythereof. (See Fig. 23.) A U-shaped rod 131 is pivotally connected to theplate 85, and its lower ends are screw-threaded. (See F'g. Clips 133 arearranged upon the bail 130, and they are provided with threaded openingsor sockets that receive the threaded ends of the rods 131. A link 133 isconnected to the bail 130, and the upper end of this link is providedwith a hook that is adapted to engage any one of a series of holes in aplate 13$, that is secured to the frame of the machine. As the pans andthe racks carried thereby are reciprocated longitudinally the racks 81are vibrated vertically, turning with the plate 85 about its pivotalpoint. By this means the material passing over the racks is given a morerapid shaking in its onward movement. By changing the adjustment of thelink 131 the amount of vertical movement given to the racks 8 may beadjusted.

From the foregoing detailed description the operation of the device willbe readily understood. The bundles which are placed on the carrier arebrought into the machine and carried under the revolving knives. Theseknives cut the bands and at the same time tend to spread open thebundles. As the grain passes beyond the knives it comes in IIO contactwith the knife-guard 50, and the weight of this knife-guard resting uponthe grain tends to more fully open up the bundles and spread the grainby retarding the tops of the bundles, while the lower portions thereofare carried forward by the spikes of the carrier-apron beneath. Thegrain then passes under the beater 55, which also assists in spreadingthe grain, and passing under the fenders 58 it falls upon thereciprocating pans, by which it is fed to the threshing-cylinder. By themeans already described the machine is rendered automaticallyadjustable. Should too much grainbe fed to the machine at one time, themovement of the carrier would be decreased or entirely stopped until thebundles beneath the knives have been properly cut and the grain movedonward to the threshing-cylinder.

It will be seen that the machine is exceedingly simple in constructionand that all of its parts may be made in the most durable manner. At thesame time it will be noticed that many of the details of constructionherein shown and described may be varied without departing from ourinvention. Hence we do not limit ourselves to the details of theconstruction shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with a knife-cylinder andknives, of a knife-guard consisting of a pivoted triangular frame havingits pivotallysupported apex on that side of the frame next to thecylinder and said frame lying wholly in the rear of the knife-cylinderand movable independently thereof and adapted to rest by gravity uponthe grain to spread the bundles as they leave the cylinder,substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the knife-cylinder and knives, of theknife-guard 5O consisting of the triangular frame pivotally supportedand lying wholly in the rear of the knifecylinder and having its apex onthat side of the frame next to the cylinder and movable independentlythereof and provided with openings through which the knives pass ontheir upstroke only, and means for securing said knifeguard in anydesired position.

3. The combinatiomwith the knife-cylinder and knives, of the knife-guardconsisting of the triangular frame pivotally supported in the rear ofthe knife-cylinder and provided in the lower part of the triangle withopenings extending therethrough to prevent the straw from lodging onsaid frame, and means for securing said knife-guard in any desiredposition, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with a rotating beater, of a series of fenderssupported on a common center with said beater and adapted to describe apartial revolution about the same, said fenders being at all points oftheir travel a uniform distance from said beater and adjustableindependently of the same, substantially as described.-

5. The combination, with a beater 55, of a series of fenders 58extending beneath said beater and adjustable independently of the sameand at all points of their adjustment a uniform distance from saidbeater,and a yielding connection for said fenders, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination,with a heater 55, of pivoted brackets 56, atransverse bar 57 provided on said brackets,a series of fenders 58secured atintervals on said bar and extending beneath said heater, and asuitable adjusting device provided in connection with said bar, wherebythe position of said fenders may be changed with respect to the beaterand knife-cylinder, and said fenders being at all points of theiradjustment a uniform distance from said beater, substantially asdescribed.

7. The combination, with the beater 55, of the pivoted brackets 56, thetransverse bar 57, the series of fenders 58 secured to said bar andextending beneath said beateigthe adj usting-bar 61 and a springconnection between the transverse bar 57 and said adjusting-bar, for thepurpose set forth.

8. The combination, with a knife-cylinder shaft, of a pulley 41 looselymounted thereon, a spring-controlled clutch device secured on saidshaft, a pulley 115 also loosely mounted on said shaft and normallylocked thereon by said clutch, means provided on said pulley 41 fornormally engaging said clutch and disengaging the same from said pulley115 when the knives become clogged and the cylinder falls below thedesired speed, a centrifugal governor connected with said pulley115 andcontrolled by the speed of said cylinder, a carrier, and suitableoperative connections provided between said governor and carrier wherebythe operation of the latter is controlled by the speed of the former.

9. The combination, with a knife-cylinder shaft, of a pulley 41 looselymounted thereon, a disk secured on said shaft, a pulley 115 looselymounted upon said shaft and provided with a friction-ring, a centrifugalgovernor connected with said pulley 115 and driven thereby,.acarrier,rneans connecting said governor and carrier whereby the movementof the latter is controlled by the speed of the former, a clutch devicemounted on said disk and normally engaging said friction-ring to locksaid pulley 115 and operate said governor, and means provided inconnection with said pulley 41 and normally engaging said clutch deviceand adapted to disengage the same from said ring to stop said governorand carrier when the knives become clogged and the speed of the cylinderfalls below the desired limit, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a knife-cylinder shaft and a pulley 41 looselymounted thereon, of a disk secured on said shaft, a pulley 115 looselymounted on said shaft and provided with a friction-ring, a centrifugalgovernor driven from said pulley and adapted to control the movement ofa ln1ndle-carrier, a clutch device mounted on said disk and havingspring-controlled blocks normally engaging said friction-ring forlocking said pulley 115 and driving said governor, and means provided onsaid pulley 41 for normally engaging said clutch device and operatingthe same to release said pulley 115 and stop said governor and carrierwhen the cylinder becomes clogged and its speed falls below the desiredlimit, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the knife-cylinder and knives, of a pivotedknife-guard comprising a cross-bar, a series of A-shaped parts securedthereon, slots or spaces being provided between said A-shaped parts toreceive the knives, the slots in the lower section or leg of theA-shaped sections extending entirely through the same to prevent thestraw from lodging therein, and means for adjusting said knife-guardupon its pivots, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the longitudinally-vibrating pans,of theswinging brackets 71, the crank-shaft mounted in said brackets andconnected tosaid pans, the bail connected with said brackets andextending beneath said pans, connections between said bail and said pansand an adjustable link connected to said bail, for the purpose setforth.

13. The combination, with the vibrating pans provided with the pivotedplate 85, of the bail 130, the adjustable link 133 connected to saidbail and the rods 131 connected to said plate and to said bail.

14. The combination, with the knifecylinder, of the brackets securedthereon and each provided with a vertical flange, a series of knivessecured to said flanges, a series of shields 49 extending lengthwise ofsaid cylinder in front of said knives and projecting out beyond saidbrackets to prevent the straw from lodging thereon, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with a knife-cylinder and knives, of theknife-guard provided with recesses through which the knives of thecylinder pass, the forward end of said guard being pivoted in the rearof and near said cylinder, whereby the knives enter said recesses duringtheir upstroke only, and the rear portion of said guard being adapted torest upon and spread the bundles of grain as they leave theknife-cylinder,substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the knife-cylinder and knives, of aknife-guard comprising a triangular frame having a series of trans verseopenings or slots, those in the lower leg or section of the frameextending entirely through the same to receive the knives and permit thestraw to be cleaned therefrom before the knives enter the slots in theupper section or leg of said frame, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with the knife-cylinder and knives, of the pivotedtriangular knife-guard, comprising the cross-bar 52, the series ofA-shaped parts secured thereon, slots or spaces being provided betweensaid A- shaped parts to receive the knives the slots in the lowersection or leg of the A-shaped sections extending entirely through thesame to prevent the straw from lodging therein, substantially asdescribed.

18. The combination, with the knife-cylinderand knives, of theknife-guard comprising a triangular frame pivoted in the rear of saidknife-cylinder and having slots or recesses to receive the knives, thejournals of said frame being near its apex to permit the lower legthereof to rest upon and spread the bundles of grain as they leave theknife-cylinder, substantially as described.

19. The combination, with the knife-cylinder and knives, of the pivotedtriangular knife-guard, comprising the cross-bar 52, the A-shapedsections having their upper legs secured at intervals on said bar, thespaces between said A-shaped sections being adapted to receive theknives as the cylinder revolves, and the lower legs of said sectionsbeing adapted to clear the knives of straw to prevent its being thrownagainst and lodging upon said cross-bar as the knives pass between theupper legs of said sections, substantially as described.

20. The combination, with the knife-cylinder, of the carrier-frame andthe carrier thereon, said frame being divided into three sections, theinner section being pivotally sup ported at its inner end beneath theknife-cylinder, means adjustably supporting said section at its outerend on the frame of the machine, and the intermediate section pivotallyconnected to the outer end of said inner section, substantially asdescribed.

21. The combination, with the frame 5, of the brackets 26 and 27thereon, the carrierframe consisting of several sections pivotedtogether, the inner section having studs at its inner end pivotallysupported in said brackets 26 and means adjustably supporting said inner section at its outer end in said brackets 27, for the purposespecified.

22. The combination, with a beater, of brackets 56 pivoted concentricwith the axis of said heater, a transverse bar 57 supported on saidbrackets, a series of curved fenders 58 arranged at intervals upon saidbar and extending beneath said beater to a point near thethreshing-cylinder, means for adjusting said bar to change the positionof said fenders with respect to said cylinder and the concentric pivotsof said brackets permitting said fenders to be adjusted in differentpositions Without varying their distance from said beater, substantiallyas described.

23. The combination, Witha knife-cylinder shaft, of a pulley 41 looselymounted thereon, a disk secured on said shaft, a pulley 115 looselymounted on said shaft and having a suitable friction-ring, a centrifugalgovernor driven from said pulley 115 and connected with thebundle-carrier and controlling the movement of the same, a strap pivotedon said disk and provided with a series of blocks normally held inengagement with said ring with a yielding pressure, and means providedon said pulley 41 and normally engaging said strap and adapted todisengage said blocks from said ring and release said pulley 115 whenthe knives become clogged and the speed of the cylinder falls below thedesired limit, substantially as described.

24E. The combination, with a k nifecylinder shaft, of a pulley 41loosely mounted thereon, a disk 114 secured on said shaft, a pulley 115loosely mounted on said shaft and provided with a suitablefriction-ring, a centrifugal governor connected with said pulley 115 anddriven thereby, a carrier, suitable connections provided between saidgovernor and carrier whereby the movement of the latter is controlled bythe speed of the former, a spring-actuated strap pivoted on said diskand having blocks normally in engagement with said ring, and a pinprovided. on said pulley 41 andnormally engaging said strap of a diskloosely mounted thereon, a carriershaft connected with said disk to bedriven thereby, a cross-head secured on said beatershaft,aspring-controlled clutch-plate 109 pivoted on said disk and normally inengagement with said cross-head, whereby said disk will be locked onsaid shaft and said carriershaft will be operated simultaneously withsaid beater-shaft, a centrifugal governor controlled by the speed of theknife-cylinder, a hooked rod 94 connected with said governor andoperated by the raising of the governorstem to engage said clutch-plateand throw it outof engagement with said cross-head and stop the carrier,when the speed of said governor falls below the desired limit,substantially as described.

26. The combination, with a beater-shaft, of a disk loosely mountedthereon, a carriershaft provided near said disk and operativelyconnectedtherewith, a cross-head secured on said beater-shaft, aspring-controlled clutchplate 109 pivoted on said disk and having a lugnormally in engagement with said crosshead whereby said disk will belocked on said beater-shaft and said carrier-shaft will be operated, acentrifugal governor connected with the knife-cylinder and controlled bythe speed of the same, a swinging hooked rod 94 connected with saidgovernor and adapted to be operated as the governor-stem is raised toengage and operate said clutch-plate to disengage said lug from saidcross-head when the speed of the governor falls below the desired limit,substantially as described.

27. The combination, with a knife-cylinder shaft, of a pulley 41 looselymounted thereon, a spring-controlled clutch device secured on saidshaft, a pulley 115 also loosely mounted on said shaft and normallylocked thereon by said clutch, means provided on said pulley 41 fornormally engaging said clutch and disengaging the same from said pulley115 when the knives become cloggedand the cylinder falls below thedesired speed,a centrifugalgovernor connected with said pulley 115 andcontrolled thereby,a spring-controlled rock-shaft 92 mounted near saidgovernor and adapted to be rocked against the tension of its spring bythe ascentof the governor-stem, ahooked rod 94 mounted on said shaft andswung .by the rocking of the same, a carrier and a spring-controlledclutch device provided in connection with said carrier and adapted to beengaged and operated by said hooked rod to stop the carrier when thespeed of the governor falls below the desired limit, substantially asdescribed.

28. The combination, with the castings 69 having the lugs 70, of theshaft 68 mounted in bearings in said castings, the brackets 71 securedupon said shaft 68, the hook-bolts '72 securing said brackets to saidlugs, the crankshaft 66 mounted in said brackets andthe vibrating pansmounted on said shaft 66, substantially as described.

29. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with vibratingpans, of plates horizontally arranged therein and spaced from the bottomof the same and having their forward ends near the forward ends of saidpans, rack-bars arranged upon said plates, the forward ends of saidrackbars being above and near the forward ends of said pans,whereby thebundles of grain will drop down be tween the bars and tip over the endsof the plates and pans to a substantially vertical position where thecylinder-teeth will first engage the sides of the bundles and cloggingof the cylinder will be prevented, substantiall as described.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination,with vibratingpans, of plates 85 pivotally supported therein and having'their forwardends near the forward ends of said pans, rack-bars arranged upon saidplates,the forward ends of said rack-bars projecting over the ends ofsaid plates and above and opposite the forward ends of said pans,whereby the bundles of grain will drop down between the bars and tipover the ends of the plates and pans to a substantially verticalposition where their sides will be engaged first by the teeth of thecylinder and clogging of the same prevented, substantially as described.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with vibratingpans, of pivoted plates 85 supported thereon and having their forwardends near the forward ends of said IIO pans, means for adjusting saidplates vertically, a series of rack-bars arranged upon said plates andhaving their forward ends overlapping the same and opposite the forwardends of said pans, whereby the bundles of grain will drop down betweenthe bars and be tipped over the ends of the plates and pans to asubstantially vertical position where the teeth of the cylinder willfirst engage the sides of the bundles and clogging of the cylinder willbe prevented.

32. The combination, with a threshing-cylinder and feed-board, oflongitudinally and vertically reciprocating pans, rack-bars pivotallysupported thereon and having a vertical vibratory movement on theirpivots, the

forward ends of said bars being above and substantially flush with thecorresponding ends of said pans and adapted to tilt the bundles of grainup to a vertical position over the ends of said pans, whereby thebundles when delivered to the cylinder will be in a substantiallyvertical position and the teeth of the cylinder will first engage thesides of the bundles.

In testimony whereof We hereunto set our hands this 15th day of April,1899.

OHAUNOY H. HILL. ROBERT R. HOWELL. In presence of I SAM. BRIGANoE,RICHARD PAUL.

